It seems the ever revolving “prized” catching prospect door has slammed another player’s hand.  This time it’s the enigma called Curtis Thigpen.  He joins a list of ‘can’t miss’ catchers that have been either traded or released by J.P. Riccardi.  Thigpen follows Kevin Cash, Guillermo Quiroz & Robinson Diaz.  Who? You say?

Kevin Cash: Played parts of three seasons with the Jays and never participated in more than 60 games(2004) in a season.  He was released as well.  Cash was the back up catcher for the Red Sox last season.  The Yankees signed him as a non-roster invitee this spring.

Guillermo Quiroz:  In 2003, Baseball America rated him Toronto‘s 3^rd best prospect.  He played a total of 29 games between the 2004 & 2005 season for the Jays.  He was placed on waivers at the end of spring training in 2006.  The Seattle Mariners claimed him & he played a total of one game for them.  He has played for Texas & the Orioles since.  Baltimore optioned him to ‘AAA’ this spring.

Robinson Diaz: Started out in low ‘A’ in 2002.  Diaz hails from the Dominican Republic.  He slowly worked his way up to the Jays and appeared in one game (2008) before being traded to the Pirates.  The Jays received Jose Bautista in return.  Diaz was demoted by the Pirates this spring.

Curtis Thigpen: The 25 year old was the ‘the next big thing’ for Toronto a few years ago.  Unfortunately, it did not work out for him.  In 2007, after Zaun went down with an injury, the Jays recalled Thigpen to see what he had.   He batted a measley .238 in 101 at-bats with no home runs.  Last season, he appeared in 10 games.  Curtis was supposed to be Rod Barajas back up this season.  However, re-tread Michael Barrett beat him out for the job.  Since the Jays already have two ‘prized’ catchers in the minors, J.P. Arencibia at ‘AAA’ and

Brian Jeroloman at ‘AA’, there was no place for Thigpen to go.  J.P. Riccardi traded him to the Athletics for cash or a player to be named later.  Good luck, Curtis and good luck to the next two contestants.

Thanks for reading and bye for now.